A judge ruled Wednesday that Millet Harrison, found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 1994 death and dismemberment of his mother, is still in need of treatment and the best place for him to get it is Rusk State Hospital, where he has lived for most of the two decades.

Harrison was brought to Jefferson County earlier this month for his yearly competency hearing in the 252nd District Court. Although his doctor at Rusk said he had been stable for at least the past two years and he recommended Harrison be released to out-patient care, Prosecutor Perry Thomas argued that over the past 20 years, Harrison's stability has been interrupted by psychotic episodes, and that comments made by Harrison in the past indicate he lacks insight into his mental illness.

A psychologist hired by the court as an expert witness testified that Harrison's records included incidents such as 2-3 verbal arguments with staff or other residents, refusal to take a flu shot and antibiotics, and a complaint about other residents keeping him awake playing ping-pong in the room next to his.

Harrison's attitudes about his mental illness and medication history were also closely examined.

Harrison testified that Ambien prescribed by his doctor caused the auditory hallucinations that persuaded him to kill his mother, and that since he stopped taking that drug he has never heard voices. However, Thomas said this was just more evidence of Harrison's lack of insight into his mental illness, and that his attitude toward remaining on medication was troubling.

Another element examined by the court was a release plan created for Harrison by Spindletop Center. Thomas questioned conditions and staffing at a Houston halfway house where Harrison was A Spindletop caseworker said the house was not the best of its kind in Harris County, but that it was difficult to find a placement to take him because of his history.